Abstract: A high visibility fabric includes a web of fibrous material and a fluorescent layer. The web has first and second major surfaces, and the fluorescent layer includes fluorescent pigment in a crosslinked resin. The resin penetrates into the web to surround the fibers and is bonded thereto, but the fluorescent pigment is concentrated at the first major surface at a level greater than at the second major surface. Because the pigment concentrates at the one surface, considerably less pigment is used in producing a fluorescent colored fabric. The fabric can be used to form a safety vest, and retroreflective sheeting can be placed on the vest to further enhance visibility.
Type:
Grant
Filed:
November 13, 1995
Date of Patent:
December 9, 1997
Assignee:
Minnesota Mining and Manufacturing Company
Inventors:
Britton G. Billingsley, Vera L. Lightle, David P. Swanson